Dad sitting in the sand at Salisbury Beach
Normand Joseph Bernier
Jan 6, 1934 - Mar 29, 2009
I did not have the closest, warmest relationship with my Dad. In fact, I knew very little about him and I am sure that he did not really know very much of anything about me other than the most superficial facts about my life.
I do know that just about more than anything, he liked to be home. He did not care for travel, and on the rare occasion that he was away from home for more than a day, he was always restless to get back.
In the last year of his life, he spent a lot of time away from home. He was very unwell with a multitude of chronic health problems including diabetes, that resulted in a leg amputation followed by complications that left him in and out of hospitals, ICUs, rehabs, and nursing homes. We (my Mom and siblings) finally managed to get him home with hospice and take care of him for the last few days of his life. I am very grateful that we were able to give him this gift of care and comfort.
He had a few good days at home before making his final descent.
On one of the last days that he was alert and able to speak, he told me that he liked the beach - that he liked the feeling of the wind that he got there... And so, that is where I will try to remember him...
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3 comments:
When I see old pictures of Dad I wonder how life was for him, then... What did he think of having all those kids, what did he see for his future, did he have dreams beyond the day? He enjoyed his work and coworkers and had good memories of them.
Maybe the best day of his life was when his first child was born.
Hey Joe,
Thanks for your comments. I am not sure, but the best day of his life may have been when his first son was born...
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